Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can occur at any age. This disease most often occurs in the elderly and not only lesions on the neck can be noticed. However, there is currently a worsening of dystrophic neck processes in young people who are mainly engaged in mental work. It should be understood that it is very difficult to completely cure cervical osteochondrosis, but you can stop its progression and significantly improve a person’s well-being.
Reasons and mechanism of formation
Cervical dystrophic processes begin slowly. The most significant causes of the disease are a sedentary lifestyle and violations of some types of mineral metabolism.
If you remove the causes that caused osteochondrosis of the neck, it will be very successfully possible to cure some of its manifestations. Otherwise, if the action of the cause continues, the person's condition will only get worse.
Under the influence of the underlying cause that caused the osteochondrosis of the neck, the following changes occur:
- is the starting point of congestion in the lymphatic and vascular system;
- then there are degenerative-destructive changes on the intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber between the vertebrae; its height and plasticity decrease;
- somewhat later, the growth of vertebral bone tissue is recorded;
- all this leads to limited mobility of the spine, increased pressure on the vessels and nerves that pass through the skeletal system of the spine.
The earlier appropriate treatment is started, the greater the chances of slowing the progression of the disease and even completely curing the person.
Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by any external or internal influences. It can be a viral infection, a cold, significant physical activity, or even a surge in atmospheric pressure. The stronger the causes that caused the worsening, the more pronounced the signs of the disease.
Features of cervical osteochondrosis
The signs of cervical osteochondrosis increase gradually, at the very beginning of the disease they practically do not bother the patient. Dizziness can be noticed only occasionally. However, cervical osteochondrosis cannot be ignored: it is difficult to eliminate the symptoms in the later stages of the disease.
Because the cervical spine is directly connected to the brain, in the case of degenerative changes in this particular area, numerous complaints of the central nervous system will be noticed. This is due to the gradual and increasing deterioration of blood circulation and metabolic disorders in the brain.
In many patients, symptoms that indicate brain damage may be noticed first:
- sudden changes in blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- tingling in the temporal region and diffuse headache;
- temperature rises less frequently to low values.
In combination with the above symptoms, there are signs of damage to the neck itself:
- pains that eventually begin to radiate to the back, arms and back of the head;
- restriction of mobility, when tilting and or turning the head, you feel cracking, crunching, numbness or tingling in the neck;
- body temperature is normal.
As osteochondrosis progresses, the person's condition will worsen, the worsening will occur more often and more strongly, it will be very difficult to cure the person over time, it will only be possible to alleviate his suffering a little.
Unlike inflammatory processes, temperature rarely changes. In the later stages of osteochondrosis of the neck, the deterioration practically does not disappear, there will be combined severe damage to the brain and spine:
- blood pressure spikes or persistently high blood pressure;
- constant dizziness and headache, exacerbated by light exertion;
- pain, burning and limitation of neck mobility;
- body temperature may rise slightly, but more often it remains normal.
The so-called vertebral artery lesion syndrome occurs quite often, when the degenerative-dystrophic process covers the middle of the neck. Such a person almost constantly feels a throbbing headache, pressure and burning in the temples, congestion and ringing in the ears, when turning his head - dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. It is almost impossible to cure vertebral artery compression syndrome.
In some people, on the contrary, you may notice signs of damage to the upper limbs (with predominant changes in the cervical and brachial plexus):
- burning or numbness in all parts of the upper limbs;
- dizziness is rare;
- decreased skin temperature.
The consequences of osteochondrosis can be quite serious: persistent headaches and dizziness, impaired memory and attention, constant numbness of the whole neck.
Treatment Methods
Almost complete restoration of the initial condition of the osteoarticular apparatus can be achieved only in the early stages of osteochondrosis and after the removal of its cause. Worsening of the disease requires even more intensive treatment. In the later stages, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, dizziness, and inflammatory changes. You can cure cervical osteochondrosis with remedies such as:
- chondroprotectors for restoring the original structure of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation;
- multivitamin complexes with a high content of B vitamins to improve nerve tissue trophism;
- nootropics for the correction of severe disorders in brain tissues;
- complex of physiotherapy exercises and massage (if severe dizziness and high blood pressure do not occur);
- physiotherapy (water, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy), while the temperature and pressure factors should be high enough, and combustion is considered a positive effect.
Much in the treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the patient himself. The sooner the necessary therapy is started, the more carefully a person meets medical prescriptions, the greater the chances of success and a dignified quality of life for the patient.